Cui Hongyu clearly misunderstood Liu Rumei's intentions, thinking she wanted to return to the county town. "Miss Liu, rest assured, I will arrange for someone to escort you to the county town tomorrow."
Liu Rumei shook her head. "Sister Hongyu, you've misunderstood. That's not what I meant. I just wanted to tell you that we also have a place to stay in the county town. The last time I came, I stayed at Chen Anbang's house and found it quite good. Could you ask Brother Xiaobei to see if I can buy that property?"
"Chen Anbang has no descendants left. If Miss Liu wishes to stay, she naturally can," Cui Hongyu said with a smile.
As they were speaking, a commotion arose from the crowd. Turning their heads, they saw the Old Ancestor arriving.
Hearing the greetings, Chen Xiaobei also mustered his strength to welcome him out.
After helping the Old Ancestor to sit at the head table, Chen Xiaobei courteously poured him a cup of wine.
"Old Ancestor, I had intended to invite you tomorrow for a proper meal."
The Old Ancestor waved his hand. "I did not come for that."
After a pause, he looked at the assembled company.
"Just now, as I walked under the big locust tree, I saw a person tied up there. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Ermao."
Chen Xiaobei nodded. "Yes, we encountered him on the way and brought him back."
The Old Ancestor sighed softly. "Very well, we shall not dwell on the past. I wish to hear how you intend to deal with him."
Chen Xiaobei recalled all the things Chen Ermao had done to him – snatching Chen Qiao'er and nearly snatching Cui Hongyu. These two deeds alone warranted his death, not to mention countless other transgressions.
A man must show some backbone at least once.
With this thought, he cleared his throat. "Old Ancestor, you know everything Chen Ermao has done. For each offense, I should have killed him eight times over."
"In the past, out of consideration for our kinship, I could not bear to eradicate him completely. Yet, he has repeatedly tried to harm me."
At this point, the Old Ancestor nodded slightly. "Originally, I intended to shamelessly plead for his life to spare him from death. However, recalling all that he has done, I find myself unable to speak on his behalf."
"Since that is the case, I believe we should do as we did with Sanqiu – drown him in the river, and let everyone see that this is the consequence of doing evil."
Chen Xiaobei nodded. "Old Ancestor, this time I will personally make a cage to send Chen Ermao on his way."
After speaking, he glanced at Cui Hongyu beside him. Tears shimmered in Cui Hongyu's eyes. Thinking of all that Chen Ermao had done to her, today was finally the day to settle the score.
The Old Ancestor said a few more words, then stood up to take his leave and walked out of Chen Xiaobei's house. As everyone returned to the courtyard, the Old Ancestor suddenly tilted his head back and exhaled a long breath.
"Chen Xiaobei has grown up. This time, he acted like a man."
Just then, a person emerged from the side, smiling and greeting him. "Old Ancestor, what are you muttering about here?"
The Old Ancestor turned to see Dashun. He smiled faintly. "Oh, it's Dashun. By the way, Xiaobei is back. Go in and greet him."
Chen Dashun, however, shook his head and stepped forward to support the Old Ancestor's arm. "No rush, no rush, Old Ancestor. I must escort you back first."
Chen Dashun helped the Old Ancestor walk a few steps forward, speaking with hidden meaning. "Old Ancestor, if you ask me, Chen Xiaobei is too biased. He gave the role of transport captain to Xiaowen. What can that immature brat do?"
The Old Ancestor clearly understood Dashun's meaning. He smiled faintly. "I am old now. In the future, this village will rely on you all."
Yang Chun immediately understood that the Old Ancestor did not wish to get involved. His own schemes had fallen through.
Just then, the clanging of iron chains was heard – it was Chen Ermao, tied up under the big locust tree.
Seeing the Old Ancestor arrive, Chen Ermao became very excited. "Old Ancestor, Old Ancestor, please save me, please save me!"
The Old Ancestor, leaning on his cane, walked to within three feet of Chen Ermao and stopped.
"Ermao, it's not that I don't want to save you, but things are not what they used to be."
"Our Hetou Village has changed. It is now Chen Xiaobei's domain. Without his approval, no one can save you."
Beside them, Chen Dashun spat fiercely.
"Chen Ermao, think about what you did back then. You deserve to die."
Chen Ermao said with a tearful voice, "Brother Dashun, I was wrong. I truly know I was wrong. Please give me another chance. I will certainly turn over a new leaf, a new leaf."
Chen Dashun shook his head and said, supporting the Old Ancestor, "Old Ancestor, let's go."
Seeing that his salvation was hopeless, Chen Ermao finally revealed his true colors, shouting at him, "Chen Dashun, if you don't save me now, I will not rest even as a ghost!"
"Chen Dashun, you deserve to have no son, hahaha, you deserve this." Su Dan Novel Network
If he had cursed about something else, Chen Dashun would not have minded, but to bring this up touched a raw nerve. Chen Dashun was already furious, and now his temper flared up instantly. He let go of the Old Ancestor and turned towards Chen Ermao, unleashing a barrage of blows, making Chen Ermao cry out in pain on the ground.
Chen Dashun beat him while cursing, "I'll make you shout, I'll make you shout!"
"Shout again and I'll hit you again."
Chen Ermao finally shut his mouth and endured several punches.
Seeing that he had finally fallen silent, Chen Dashun stopped, seemingly satisfied, and smoothed his clothes.
"Chen Ermao, remember this. If you dare to utter another word, I will beat you half to death."
After saying this, he turned to leave again, only to discover that the Old Ancestor had already departed at some point.
Soon, the excitement in Chen Xiaobei's courtyard subsided. Those who needed to leave had left, leaving only Liu Rumei and Xiao Qing, Cui Hongyu, Chen Xiaobei, and Chen Qiao'er at the scene.
Cui Hongyu beckoned to Chen Qiao'er. "Qiao'er, come sleep with me at the old house."
Chen Xiaobei immediately interjected, "No need to go to the old house. We'll sleep here tonight."
"Yes, Sister Hongyu, no need to go to the old house. You all sleep here tonight," Liu Rumei said, then winked at Xiao Qing. The two of them stood up and walked out.
This made Cui Hongyu feel awkward. She quickly stepped forward and grabbed Liu Rumei's arm.
"Miss Liu, why don't you stay. I'll go to the old house."
Liu Rumei whispered to Cui Hongyu, "In the capital, Brother Xiaobei and I also slept separately, so I won't disturb you."
Cui Hongyu saw Liu Rumei off with surprise, then turned back to Chen Xiaobei, looking puzzled. "Husband, what exactly is going on? You two?"
Chen Xiaobei shook his head. "Liu Rumei and I had an agreement long ago. My heart cannot let go of Huang Ying. I am not a person who changes his affections lightly."
After speaking, Chen Xiaobei pointed to the side room. "I will sleep here tonight. You and Qiao'er go sleep in the main room. Remember to keep the charcoal stove burning brightly."
The next morning, news spread quickly: today Chen Ermao would be drowned in the river.
Chen Xiaobei also woke up early and went to the woods west of the village with an axe.